Question from Shelly

Hello Debra.

I read that you don`t use silk clothing because of the climate you live. Being a northerner, I am quite interested in researching silk clothing. Particularly I`m interested in finding out if silk clothing is high in toxic residuals.

Do you have any suggestions on how I would find out about silk clothing, especially the clothing sold by a company called Winter Silks.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Shelly

Debra’s Answer

In my book Home Safe Home, I do recommend slik on page 324. I have worn silk in the past and found no problem with it.

Silk is a filament spun by silkworms, which are killed in the harvesting of the silk thread.

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Question from trying to be green in missouri

Was so excited to be a “good green stewart” and purchased sustainable and recycled wood furniture. Now I find out that in transportation it was all sprayed with pesticide. I was planning on storing dishes and clothes in these pieces. EXPENSIVE furniture.

will plain soap and water wash the pesticide off? Do I dare store dishes and clothes in them now?

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Connie

I am new to this blog and haven’t read all postings so please forgive me if this issue has already been dealt with. I just tried making brownies with stevia in the raw and they taste really nasty. I had such high hopes and now I am so frustrated! They don’t taste sweet at all! I have been off sugar, honey, molasses, etc for 3 1/2 years due to severe hypoglycemia, so I am normally very aware of any sweet taste. I exchanged the sugar for stevia using the 2 teaspoon per packet measurement. I am baffled since the Truvia I use in my coffee tastes very sweet. Any ideas?

Thanks!!

Debra’s Answer

I totally understand. My first experience with stevia was an attempt to make brownies and they were horrible.

I wouldn’t recommend using the product Stevia Extract In The Raw. There is nothing raw about it, in either sense of the word. It’s not uncooked, and it’s not without any additions. The “in the raw” part of the name is just because it is made by the “Sugar In The Raw” company (which is also not uncooked, but is straight sugar).

Their website states that in their Packet Product,”The stevia extract is blended with dextrose, a natural carbohydrate derived from corn” and in their Cup For Cup “Baker’s Bag” Product, “Stevia extract is blended with maltodextrin, a natural carbohydrate derived from corn.” How a corn sweetener is zero calorie, I don’t know. But basically what is happening here is that highly refined corn extracts are being combined with highly refined stevia extracts to make a fractionated sweetener that is no more “whole” than refined white sugar.

I used to recommend stevia drops until I decided to use only whole food sweeteners. I do recommend whole stevia herb leaves, which can be eaten fresh off the plant, or used fresh or dried in hot and cold tea blends for sweetness, or brewed alone to make a sweet tea that can then be used as a liquid sweetener.

But stevia lacks the bulk of sugar and so is not very practical for baked goods.

Sorry I can’t give you any tips on how to make stevia brownies.

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Question from Gigi

I have to decide whether it would still be advisable for me to purchase wool mattresses and bedding.

I will be repainting my entire interior walls with low or no VOC latex paints. However, it seems as if I have no choice but to prime some of my walls with an oil-based primer first due to the fact that all of the painted walls have oil-based paint, and SOME of those were had texture, and/or wall paper. This is the case for the bedrooms for which I wanted to place wool mattresses in. However, I remember reading somewhere (I think on this blog) that wool absorbs formaldehyde. Can I bake out the primer after I paint over it with latex and once that is done, purchase my wool mattresses? Or do I have to choose between the oil-based primer and the wool mattresses and bedding? It looks as if mudding the entire interior wall surface is not feasible. Do you have any other recommendations? I would not like to lay in a bed that is full of formaldehyde due to absorbing the outgassing.

Debra’s Answer

I just learned of a product called Enviro-3000, which is a very low odor, zero VOC primer and sealer. I haven’t used it yet myself, but I heard about it through someone who had used it that has a wife who is chemically sensitive, and she tolerated it. It can be used on most surfaces, so you might see if you can used that instead of oil-based primer.

It will take a lot of time or heat to cure the oil-based primer. If it is the only option, apply the primer and dry it thoroughly with heat before applying the paint and brining in the wool mattress.

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Question from HEG

I just moved into a new apartment and I don’t know if the previous tennant used toxic oven cleaner or not. I have no reason to believe he did (there is a self-cleaning feature), but in case I would like to clean the oven in a nontoxic manner that would remove any toxic residue that could exist. My thought was just to scrub the oven with water, but I didn’t know if there was a better method. I could run the self-clean oven but I am hesitant to do this if it is unnecessary since I understand that this can also release toxins (I know you are supposed to remove birds when you run the self-clean cycle). Could you tell me how best to do this so that I can have more confidence that dishes that I cook in this oven won’t have any toxins in it?

Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

I’m not concerned that you would have toxic exposure from a previous tenant’s use of toxic oven cleaner. The active ingredients in oven cleaner are ammonia (which is very volatile and would bake off) and lye (which does not outgas).

When we moved into the house we live in now, we used the existing stove and oven and never had any odors come from it.

So I think, just do nothing. I don’t see a danger here.

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Question from kb

Hello Debra,

And once again thank you for your expertise. I have read all of your posts regarding termites. For existing termite damage in a house where the wood has already been painted or treated or is not exposed, what is your choice of treatment. From what I’ve read, I don’t believe that I can use Timbor. I’ve read many sites claims about XT2000 Orange Oil. I’m finding termite damage on exterior painted wood trim as well as on two decks. It’s a frustrating situation and I’d appreciate your opinion.

Thank you very much.

Debra’s Answer

It’s hard to give you advice with such limited information. I don’t have experience with the orange oil. Why can you not use Timbor? Can the infested wood be cut out and replaced?

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Question from Lea

Anyone know of a really good hand held steamer priced under $50.00 to be used for getting into those tight spots in kitchens and baths.

I had a Euro Pro once and it seemed to work OK but leaked alot and I ended up having to send it in for repair because the tube connection to the nozzle detached inside the steamer and was useless. I want one that steams for awhile before it needs to be refilled also and a longer cord would be good.

Thanks for your comments

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Martha Istvan

Over the course of many years, I have gone from diagnosed corn allergy to painful intolerance, probably in part because I did not know glycerin, ascorbic acid, and other commonly used ingredients are primarily corn-derived.

Where can I learn more about ingredients, especially chemical products used in meds, that have been created from corn? I refer to the Connors’ list religiously.

Thank you. Marty

Debra’s Answer

Readers? What sources do you use?

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Question from Maureen

I need to cover some dining room chairs and want to cover it first with barrier cloth to keep dust mites out of my cotton batting. Then cover with upholstery fabric. I am extremely sensitive to organic cotton. It makes my finger swell, crack open and bleed within minutes of touching it and I cannot be in the same room with anyone wearing organic cotton. I have done catalogue searches and internet searches to no avail. Some years ago I got non-organic barrier cloth from Heart of Vermont, but they no longer carry it. I’d love to know where I can locate non-organic barrier cloth or how to make organic barrier cloth safe for me to use. Help!

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Traci

Dear Debra,

I am curious what your thoughts are concerning my recent reactions. I must say I was so relieved to find your website after feeling doomed to only increasing reactions to everyday toxins. Reading your story was very encouraging!

After having chemical sensitivities for about 5-6 years, I have recently had a change in my symptoms. I went from having one-sided facial/headaches to mostly chest pain. The chest pain is result of toxins from my home after recent renovation. I must say the Austin Healthmate was a blessing to find. Thanks for the link on your site, and suggestions from readers. After using it a couple of days, I was able to return home and very hopeful. However, the varnish used it still releasing fumes, and not cured. So, if I am in the kitchen baking for awhile, I end up with chest pain.

I am curious as to what your experience is on the chest pain (or feeling of sickness in chest). I also went through a few days of reacting to everything after that. Then, after few days of relief, was able to tolerate normal everyday things.

I already had my home as non-toxic as possile (except the terrible varnish used by cabinetmaker). Also have been using non-toxic health/beauty products and as much as organic food as possible. (Thanks for the tip on spring water.)

Am I putting my health at risk by staying in my home for months while the fumes finish off-gasing? I want to live in my home with my family, but don’t know how long I should have reactions.

Debra’s Answer

Please, please, please, everyone reading this, if you are having symptoms, leave your house. Air filters can help, but the first thing to do is remove the toxic exposure, and if you can’t do that, remove your body from the toxic exposure.

Nobody should be around toxic varnish that is not yet cured. It should not have been used in the first place. There are plenty of water-based wood finishes that could be used.

If the vanish is on a built-in cabinet that cannot be removed, stay someplace else and use heat to speed up the curing of the varnish. Or have it removed.

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